Main navigation

National Council for the Blind Challenge Restaurants to Dine in the Dark

Today, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and Neven Maguire launched Dine in the Dark Ireland. Dine in the Dark is a week-long culinary celebration taking place across the country from the 6th to the 13th November. Supported by the Restaurants Association of Ireland, the campaign will see 200 restaurants and 8000 people Dine in the Dark for Sight Loss.

A unique dining experience; guests are blind folded throughout the meal. Without their sight to guide them, guests experience taste, texture and flavour in a completely new and innovative way.

Through this campaign NCBI aims to raise vital funds for life-enhancing services for people with sight loss. Group CEO Chris White said: “This is a really exciting week-long celebration. We’re giving restaurants the opportunity to win more customers with this unique experience, while also raising vital funds for one of Ireland’s longest running charities. Restaurants can register on dineinthedark.ie.” He added; “Sight loss affects one in six people in Ireland, Dine in the Dark is our way of bringing people together to raise awareness, vital funds and of course to have fun.”

Dine in the Dark is set to challenge chefs and customers alike throughout the week. Speaking at the launch, Neven Maguire Dine in the Dark Ireland Ambassador said: “I was honoured to be asked to do this for NCBI. It was fun and challenging to come up with a menu that would challenge chefs and give diners a great experience. I know it will be a great success and will raise much needed funds for NCBI. I encourage restaurants to register for Dine in the Dark today.”

Speaking at the launch, Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive Officer of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said: “The Restaurants Association is proud to be a part of Ireland’s first ever Dine in the Dark Week. This event is a fantastic opportunity to offer diners across the country a unique dining experience. Having experienced a Dine in the Dark sitting myself, I can assure diners they will be in for a surprising and memorable treat – all while raising funds and awareness for a great cause.”

Dine in the Dark Ireland is kindly sponsored by Novartis Ireland, New Ireland Assurance and Classic Drinks.